Red Sox weekly recap (Week 16)

The week started off horrible, but ended on a high note. After a five-game skid dating back to last week, the Boston Red Sox are looking to sweep the Baltimore Orioles Sunday after being swept by the Texas Rangers.

The Red Sox snapped their losing streak (which put them back to second place in the American League East) on Friday, and are relieved to be back home at Fenway.

With the trade deadline creeping up, Theo Epstein made a couple of moves to improve the team. He traded for left-handed first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for two minor leaguers, and then grabbed shortstop Chris Duncan from the St. Louis Cardinals sending Julio Lugo away for good.

LaRoche made his debut in a Red Sox uniform in unforgettable fashion by blasting a two-run home run in his fourth at-bat in a 7-2 win on Saturday. The outing improved Jon Lester's record to 9-7 this season, and he's now 21-5 lifetime at Fenway Park and 9-0 against the Orioles.Boston also extended its 11-game home win streak against Baltimore.

Sunday July 19 - Saturday July 25

Week record: 2-4

Overall record: 57-39

AL East standing: 2nd, 1.5 games behind New York

Runs scored: 18

Opponents' runs scored: 19

Home runs: 3; Nick Green (1), David Ortiz (1), Adam LaRoche (1)

Games left: 66

Weeks left: 12

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